High-def duo: Cisco-Tata partnership to establish “public” video conferencing centers
By Manufacturing Business Technology Staff -- Manufacturing Business Technology, 4/2/2009 8:52:00 PM
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Cisco is continuing its push to make its TelePresence video conferencing technology a global standard through a deal with Tata Communications that will result in the first "public" TelePresence service in the Philippines.
Cisco TelePresence technology provides high-definition, conferencing facilities with audio, video, and environmental qualities allowing participants to meet their colleagues, customers, and business partners across a virtual table.
Major corporations like Procter & Gamble and Baxter Healthcare have deployed the technology as a means of improving collaboration across business locations without additional travel costs.
To make technology more ubiquitous, Cisco is entering into deals with service providers like Tata Communications to open Public Telepresence studios in various locations around the world.
This newest Public TelePresence studio will be operated by the Philippine Long Distance Telecommunications Co. (PLDT). It will connect to Tata Communications’ global network of Public TelePresence rooms, including Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Gurgaon in India; Boston in the U.S.; and London in the U.K.
The PLDT studio also will connect to Cisco’s Public TelePresence Suite in Santa Clara, Calif.
The deal also calls for PLDT to offer Private Managed TelePresence services for organizations that want to have their own TelePresence rooms.
"PLDT has often led the way in innovative, next-generation services and being the first-ever Philippine service provider to offer Telepresence is a testament to that," said Eric R. Alberto, a senior VP with PLDT.
According to Stephen Misa, country manager of Cisco Philippines,“This technology is changing the way individuals and organizations collaborate with each other across long distances and we are certain this opens up window of opportunity for our country."
Sunil Joshi, president of Asia Pacific region, Tata Communications, said the company is “delighted to expand our network of public rooms into Asia Pacific with Cisco and PLDT. We were the first global service provider to bring public Cisco TelePresence rooms to the market and we will continue to open up more rooms in Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, as well as other emerging markets in 2009."
